Crime Prevention through Environmental Design aims to reduce the causes of, and opportunities for, criminal events

and address the fear of crime by applying sound planning, design and management principles to the built environment. It is an approach to problem-solving that considers environmental conditions and the opportunities they offer for crime or other unintended and undesirable behaviors. Four Principles of CPTED A. Natural Surveillance The fundamental premise is that criminals do not wish to be observed. Surveillance or the placing of legitimate eyes on the street increases the perceived risk to offenders. This may also increase the actual risk to offenders if those observing are willing to act when potentially threatening situations develop. So the primary aim of surveillance is not to keep intruders out (although it may have that effect) but rather, to keep intruders under observation. Natural surveillance can be achieved by a number of techniques. The flow of activities can be channeled to put more people (observers) near a potential crime area. Windows, lighting and the removal of obstructions can be placed to improve sight lines from within buildings.

B. Natural Access Control Natural access control relies on doors, fences, shrubs, and other physical elements to keep unauthorized persons out of a particular place if they do not have a legitimate reason for being there. In its most elementary form, access control can be achieved in individual dwellings or commercial establishments by the use of adequate locks, doors and window barriers. However, when one moves beyond private property to public or semi-public spaces, the application of access control needs more care. Properly located entrances, exits, fencing, landscaping and lighting can subtly direct both foot and vehicular traffic in ways that decreases criminal opportunities. Access control can be as simple as locating a front office to a warehouse. C. Territorial Reinforcement People naturally protect a territory that they feel is their own, and have a certain respect for the territory of others. Clear boundaries between public and private areas achieved by using physical elements such as fences, pavement treatment, art, signs, good maintenance and landscaping are ways to express ownership. Identifying intruders is much easier in such well-defined spaces. Territorial reinforcement can be seen to work when a space, by its clear legibility, transparency, and directness, discourages potential offenders because of users familiarity with each other and the surroundings. D. Maintenance and Management This is related to the neighborhoods sense of pride of place and territorial reinforcement. The more dilapidated an area, the more likely it is to attract unwanted activities. The maintenance and the image of an area can have a major impact on whether it will become targeted.

Maintenance and management need to be considered at the design stage, as the selection of materials and finishes will impact on the types of maintenance regimes that can be sustained over time. For example, plant material should be selected for its size at maturity to avoid blocking of sight lines. THE THREE D APPROACH CPTED involves the design of the physical space in the context of the normal and expected use of that space by the users as well as the predictable behavior of people around the space. CPTED emphasizes the connection between the functional objectives of space utilization and behavior management. Conceptually, the four CPTED principles are applied through the 3-D approach, i.e. Designation, Definition and Design. The 3-D approach is a simple space assessment guide that helps the user in determining the appropriateness of how a space is designed and used. The 3-D concept is based on the three functions or dimensions of human space: All human space has some designated purpose. All human space has social, cultural, legal or physical definitions that prescribe desired and acceptable behaviors. All human space is designed to support and control the desired behaviors. BASIC DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES The four CPTED principles can be translated into various planning and design strategies that would enhance security. These strategies can be categorized as follows: 1. Allow for clear sight lines, 2. Provide adequate lighting, 3. Minimize concealed and isolated routes, 4. Avoid entrapment, 5. Reduce isolation, 6. Promote land use mix, 7. Use of activity generators, 8. Create a sense of ownership through maintenance and management, 9. Provide signs and information and 10. Improve overall design of the built environment. EXAMPLES OF CPTED STRATEGIES APPLICABLE TO VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS A. CONDOMINIUMS AND PUBLIC HOUSING Residential apartments overlooking outdoor play areas provide natural surveillance B. LANDED DEVELOPMENTS An active resident committee can promote proper management of the neighborhood

C. CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT/ REGIONAL CENTRES/ TOWN CENTRES Retail and entertainment uses at street frontages attract and enhance pedestrian activities D. OFFICES/ RETAILS/ HOTELS Clear line of sight from reception desk allows easy surveillance of entrance E. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOLS Location and landscaping of school can be arranged to encourage natural surveillance from surrounding buildings and streets F. INDUSTRIAL AREAS Neat, visible and well-lit loading/ unloading areas minimize potential for hiding EXAMPLES OF CPTED STRATEGIES APPLICABLE TO PUBLIC SPACES

A. CAR PARKS Attendant booth should be located near entrances and predictable routes B. PARKS/ OPEN SPACES/ PLAYGROUNDS Parks and open spaces can be planned and programmed for a range of activities C. BACK LANES Back lanes should be well-maintained and free of inappropriate outdoor storage D. PUBLIC WASHROOMS Approach to washroom entrances should be highly visible E. SIDEWALKS/WALKWAYS Walkways should be clean and well maintained F. UNDERPASSES/PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGES Pedestrian underpasses can be designed with good visibility and clear sight lines G. WAITING SHEDS/MRT/ LRT STATIONS Materials and construction details for waiting sheds should be vandal resistant